Coming back to perform in Bengaluru feels special: Saiyaara singer Faheem

Faheem Abdullah, the voice behind Saiyaara returns to Bengaluru — a city he once called home and credits for shaping his musical sensibility. Ahead of his concert in Bengaluru this Valentine’s Day, the singer tells us, “I had written an early version of Saiyaara years ago, and it stayed with me for a long time. When it finally evolved into its present form — with beautiful additions by Irshad sir — it felt like the song had found its true voice. What stayed with me most was its honesty. It didn’t try to impress; it trusted silence and restraint. Very early on, I sensed listeners would connect with it in a deeply personal way because it allowed emotions to unfold gently rather than pushing them.” Faheem, who has his roots in Bengaluru, shares more:

You studied in Bengaluru, a city known for its diverse music scene. How did it shape you as an artiste?

Bengaluru gave me space and time. I moved here for my postgraduate studies in English Literature, and that academic grounding deeply influenced my songwriting. The city exposed me to different kinds of music, people and ideas. It allowed me to grow quietly, without pressure — and that shaped not just my music, but my worldview.

How conscious are you of emotion while singing, as opposed to relying on instinct?

I rely almost entirely on instinct. When you overthink emotion, it stops being honest. I try to respond naturally to the lyrics and the mood of the song. Whatever ache or softness people hear probably comes from years of quietly observing emotions, not performing them.

What is your preparation like for a song that demands emotional vulnerability?

I don’t follow a ritual. I spend time alone with the lyrics, often in complete silence. Vulnerability needs patience. If it doesn’t feel right, I wait rather than force it.

In a time dominated by fast, viral music, how do you protect depth in your work?

Trends change, but emotions don’t. Depth comes from trusting your instinct. I stay connected to the reason I started making music in the first place.


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